-. I 



Sr. Ca Jfagrtte ($mlh. 







Sketch Of 



Dr. La Fayette Guild 



Medical Diredor and Chief Surgeon 



Of the 



Army of Northern Virginia 



Dr. La Fayette Guild 

Medical Diredor and Chief Surgeon 
Of 

The Army Of Northern Virginia 



A 



BIOGRAPHICAL sketch of this gift- 
ed man will treat in a great measure 
of the Confederacy, a theme always 
dear to the Southerner's heart. From 
the time he was appointed on General 
Lee's staff to the closing scenes at Appomattox, he 
saw the most active sei"\-ice, being freqnentl}' exposed 
on the fiercest battle-fields. The life of Dr. Guild 
is replete with fine incident, and it is believed that 
this sketch will be of interest to all patriotic Alabam- 
ians. 

Dr. La Fayette Guild was born Nov. 24th, 1825, 
being the second son of Dr. James Guild a^d Mary 
Elizabeth Williams. His mother's family were prom- 
inent lawyers and statesmen; from them he inherited 
the logical and comprehensive trend of mind that led 
him to discern cause and effect in scientific research 
and medicine phenomena; directlv from his father he 
received the natural surgeon's deft touch and keen, 
unflinching eye. 

The elder Dr. Guild was thus characterized 
by Dr. Peter Bryce, another Tuscaloosa physician of 
world wide fame: "As a practitioner in the several 
departments of both medicine and surgery. The suc- 
cess of Dr. James Guild was truly remarkable and 
probably there are few physicians or surgeons occupy- 



iii<4' tlie limited field he did who have enjoyed a higher 
or more extended repntution. In fact there is hardly 
an operation known to modern snrgery that he did not 
})erform. Had he enjoyed larger opportnnities I have 
no hesitation in expressing the opinion that he wonld 
have been the eqnal of Gross or Mott. The people 
of Alabama can never know how much the success 
of this noble charity (the hospital for the insane) 
is due to Dr. Guild's timely aid in tiding it over the 
difficulties that once threatened to engrief it." 

Family tradition among the Guilds has handed 
down many incidents of La Fayette's childhood, while 
they are trivial in themselves, but interesting because 
they show his braver}^, intelligence and generosity to 
have been innate, forecasting his illustrious and 
honorable manhood. The same child, who defended 
his playmate from a large and ferocious dog, prevent- 
ed a serious encounter between fellow-students of the 
University. 

The Guild estate embraced a tract of land on the 
outskirts of Tuscaloosa, whose shady groves and clear 
murmuring brook were the happy hunting grounds of 
the Guild boys and their comrades. While damming 
the branch as normal boys ever have and ever will. 
La Fayette was attracted and puzzled by a layer of 
curious black stones. His interest and determination 
to know^, even at that early age, caused him to take 
some of these black stones to his father, who turn- 
ed them over to the geologist of the University near- 
by, and the first record of coal in that district was the 
result. Coal was not commonly known, nor generally 
used in the South until about 1834 and many years 
elapsed before Alabama realized she possessed a rich 
deposit of these black diamonds, which would one day 
develop into a vast and profitable industry. 



3. 

La Fayette Guild grew to iiianluxxl and ])nrsucd 
Ills studies at the Ihiiversity of Alabama surrounded 
by every advantage of a eultured Christian home and 
tlie refining and stimulating influence of societ\' in an 
educational center. He was graduated from the Uni- 
versity in 1845, receiving the A. M. degree. He then 
went to Philadelphia to study medicine. 

Tliose who knew his tender sympathetic nature 
were not surprised to hear that he fainted when he 
first witnessed the dissection of a human cadaver; nor 
were they dubious when a grateful fellow-student 
wrote that La Fayette Guild had saved his life b}' suck- 
ing the poison from an accidental wound inflicted 
while operating. In 1848 he received his degree of 
M. D. from the Jefferson Medical College, then the 
best of its kind. i\s surely as his inherited tendencies 
led him to study medicine, so surely did his chivalrous 
devotion to duty and love of adventure lead him to 
adopt the military phase of the medical profession. 
In the spring of 1849 he became an assistant sur- 
geon in the U. S. A. 

His first assignment was to Key West, Florida, 
the U. S. Army there had charge of the rem- 
nants of Seminole Indians, and Dr. Guild after- 
ward saw the famous Indian chief commonly known 
among the Americans as Billy Bowlegs. Billy was 
the last of the chiefs who had fought so desperately 
under the famous warrior Osceola, but Billy knew 
when discretion was the better part of valor and was 
very polite and friendly to the U. S. A. officers. Dr. 
Guild once dined with Billy Bowlegs, and the old chief 
who was a slave owner had one standing behind his 
chair holding a huge bandanna handkerchief, which 
was handed the chief as occasion demanded. Dr. 
Guild was also stationed at Fort Barrancas, Florida. 



General Gorgas was at Barrancas at that time and 
Mrs. Gorgas, now the beloved librarian of the 
University of Alabama and the qneen of its stndents 
and of the alnmni, recently said when asked abont 
their relations with Dr. Gnild in that distant day: "I 
have the greatest devotion and admiration for the 
memory of Dr. La Fayette Gnild. I remember parti- 
cnlarly his fondness for my little boy now stationed 
at Panama. At Barrancas he wonld often take the 
little fellow in his arms and give him his morning 
bath, afterwards holding him np in the palm of his 
hand and calling the attention of his brother-officers 
to the little Hercnles, as he would call him. Bar- 
rancas was the last port of the old Army where we 
were stationed together, but during the Civil War 
the families met frequently on Dr. Guild's visits 
from the front, the children would always look for 
his coming with that glee of affection with which his 
passionate love for children imbued them. His devo- 
tion to children, especially mine, during the sojourn 
at Richmond, was remarkable. The mutual esteem 
between General Gorgas and Dr. Guild was never 
abated during the War, and the confidence and ad- 
miration each had foi; the other was lasting and true." 
This seems especially interesting in view of the 
fact that Dr. Guild has been called the proto-type of 
Dr. W. C. Gorgas, "the little Hercules." That 
"history repeats itself" is an ancient axiom newly 
illustrated b}' the co-incidence that Tuscaloosa has 
given the medical world two such eminent sons as 
the two thus linked together. Present day dispatches 
chronicle Dr. Gorgas' marvellous skill in ridding 
the Isthmus of Panama of mosquitoes, malaria and yel- 
low fever, preparatory to the cutting of the great canal 
which is to double the South 's prosperity' and popula- 



tioii. Dr. Guikrs brilliant record in the Civil Wur 
soniewluit casts into shadow his career prior to that 
time, but before this crisis in his country arose he 
was an enthusiastic pioneer in scientific research. 

After leaving Florida, Dr. Guild served as Assist- 
ant Surgeon and Quarantine Inspector at Governor's 
Island. Here his knowledge of yellow fever, acquired 
in Florida, was valuable in preventing the spread of 
this scourge from infected ships arriving from the 
tropics. Here he wrote a treatise on yellow fever, 
w^iich was published by the government, in which 
he argued that this fever was infectious, but not con- 
tagious, then a new but now an accepted theory. In 
fact all of Dr. Guild's medical papers were original 
and far in advance of his time, besides displaying grexit 
literary merit. And it is to be hoped that the move- 
ment now on foot to collect and preserve these docum- 
ents will succeed. About this time a meat biscuit 
was compounded and issued to the Army for rations. 
Dr. Guild after a close and conscientious examination 
of this meat biscuit, condemned it as impracticable 
and unwholesome, and its use was discontinued. One 
surgeon of like discernment and courage during the 
Spanish- American War might have prevented the use 
of embalmed beef, which victimized more American 
soldiers than all the Spanish bullets. Early in Dr. 
Guild's army career. General Trigg remarked: 
"Guild is bound to win distinction if he doesn't turn 

d fool and marry. ' ' The doctor paid but little heed 

to this prediction. In 1851 he married Martha 
Aylette Fitts, of Mobile, Alabama. Their union 
proved happy, this little woman cheerfully sharing the 
hardships of army post life in the West, where he was 
soon afterward transferred. Dr. Guild's devotion to 
his wife and all his relatives was most noticeable; he 



seemed willing to die for family or friend. He was 
most unselfish and could see no fault in those he loved; 
poetic and artistic in his temperament; he had a pas- 
sionate love and appreciation of the beauties of home, 
which the exigencies of army life rendered imprac- 
ticable. Dr. Guild's letters to relatives in Tuscaloosa, 
especially those to his revered father, were always 
interesting, but his description of the wild and then little 
known West were particularly vivid and picturesc|ue. 
Among the officers he served with out there was 
General Harvie, considered the greatest Indian fighter 
of his day. Dr. Guild witnessed manyof the feats of 
personal prowess and physical strength which caused 
General Harvie to be looked upon by the Indians as 
something almost supernatural. 

Dr. Guild's merit and popularity advanced him 
rapidly and he was soon made full surgeon at Fort 
Humbolt, Ciil., under General Albert Sydney John- 
ston, who then commanded the Pacific Coast Division 
U. S. A. At Fort Humbolt Dr. Guild adopted two 
little Yokin Indians, a bay and a girl. The bay was 
a prince or chief, the last of his. tribe, which had been 
exterminated in a tribal raid; he was entrusted by his 
d^ang grandfather t6the kind surgeon whose noble 
generosity and strong tenderness seemed to impress 
friend and foe alike. The other little Indian was a girl 
whom Dr. Guild had found when a papoose strapped to 
her dead mother's back, the only living creature in a 
pile of dead. The feeble wail of this papoose from a 
ravine attracted Dr. Guild's attention as he rode by 
heart-sick at these endless battles between, tribes. He 
unearthed the wailing mite of humanity from the 
ravine and took her to her tender-hearted wife who 
christened her Ravina and had her tenderly cared for. 
Man\' men thus honored in the established Armv 



7. 

and severed by time and distance from old ties, would 
have remained where position was secure and advance- 
ment probable. But Dr. Guild was convinced of the 
sacredness of State's Rights and felt the call of love 
and duty to his native section. So upon hearing of 
the first rupture between the North and South he re- 
fused to renew his oath of allegiance to the Union. 
He and his wife, accompanied by their little Indian 
proteges, then hastened through dangers and hardships 
incredible to modern travelers from the Pacific Coast 
to the South, thus voluntarily sacrificing not only his 
high postion, but all their accumulated means. The 
position attained by him in the old Army is attested 
by the following letter: 

Washington, Dec. 3rcl., 1870. 
Sik: — 

Referriiii^ to your conimunication of the 27th ulto., 
I enclose history of the services of Dr. LaFayette Guild 
while a member of the Medical Staff of the Army, as 
shown upcn the records '^f this office. His standing- in 
the corps, professionally and in all other respects, was 
very high. 

Very Respectfullj', Your Obedient vServant, 

E. H. Crane, Ass. Suregon-General. 
By order of the Surgeon-General U. S. A. 

As soon as Dr. Guild saw his wife and charg-es 
safe in Tuscaloosa, he reported for duty in Richmond. 
Immediately upon his arrival there, in July, 1861, he 
was appointed Surgeon in the Confederate Army, to 
rank from March 16th, 1861. In August he was 
made Inspector of Hospitals throughout the South. 
This duty he performed with characteristic skill and 
fidelity, then returned promptly to the front. The 
old Army being comparatively small. Dr. Guild had 
known most of the officers, both those who remained 
in the U. S. A, and those who, like himself, now 
fought under the Stars and Bars. He had long enter- 



8. 

tained the highest, regard for General Joseph E. John- 
ston and with nianv others, considered him one of the 
finest strategists in either army. The two couples, 
General and Mrs. Johnston and Dr. and IVlrs. Guild 
were intimate friends. When General Johnston was 
wounded in the Battle of Seven Pines and General 
Lee took charge, one of Lee's first inquiries was: 
"Where is Dr. Guild? Tell him to report to me in 
person." There on the battlefield Lee selected Dr. 
Guild for his chief medical officer and from that day 
until the close of the War, Dr. Guild's official position 
was Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Army 
of Northern Virginia, which of course made him an 
aide on Lee's staff. 

How well he filled this responsible position is 
shown by the Confederate Records, but only a few au- 
thentic instances remain to prove the intimate person- 
al relations that existed between the Great Command- 
er and his Chief Surgeon. When Lee invaded Penn- 
sylvania he passed through a town whose inhabitants 
demonstrated their excessive hostility to the Confed- 
erates in many unpleasant ways. The ladies waved 
Union flags from every window, hissing and jeering- 
mean while. General Lee turned to one of the aides 
riding at his side and said: "Bring Drs. Guild and 
Breckenridge to the front." When the surgeons ar- 
rived, the old General, with a grim smile, placed one 
on either side and thus escorted rode through the town 
without further feminine protest. He afterwards re- 
marked he was sure the ladies would not ridicule two 
(he should have said three) such handsome men and 
splendid horsemen. This was a public acknowledge- 
ment of the fact that Dr. Guild had an unusually per- 
fect and pleasing face and figure, with genial yet com- 
manding manners and a personal charm that amount- 
ed to maofnetism. 



9. 

As the above incident is in connection with Dr. 
Breckenridge, the following in connection with Gen- 
eral Breckenridge will not be out of place. Joe the 
Indian protege was now old enough to follow Dr. Guild 
to the front. This little incident will also illustrate 
in a measure the status in the Army of this little In- 
dian. Joe, or Beauregundy, as was his Indian name, 
was allowed many privileges, and on account of his 
spirit and bright intellect, saw and heard much of the 
officers company and conversation. One bleak dav, 
while the army was in winter quarters. Dr. Guild had 
General John C. Breckenridge to dine with him, and 
on the way to the "mess" tent. Gen. Breckenridge 
saw and admired a very fine bird dog, owned by Dr. 
Guild, whereupon the big-hearted surgeon presented 
him to his friend. After the meal was finished, and 
the General was preparing to leave, his first thought 
was of the beautiful pointer which had suddenly dis- 
appeared. None of the servants nor Joe seemed to 
know what had become of the dog. Some one giving 
the General a hint, it dawned upon him, that probab- 
ly the little Indian knew, and was the cause of the 
sudden, unaccountable disappearance. However, the 
General kept quiet, biding his time, and when the 
Indian came in reach of him, he suddenly seized him 
b}' the hair, taking a carving knife, and threatened to 
scalp him. Both of these little Indians had alwaj^s 
shown fear by instinctively clasping their hands over 
their heads. Amid the yells of the Indian and laugh- 
ter of the officers, the General promised not to scalp 
him if he would restore the dog, so Joe consented to 
get the dog. Thereupon being released from the gi- 
gantic grasp of the General, the little Indian ran off 
to some distance, and being clear of any possibility of 
recapture, turned and facing the enemy — the General, 



10. 

said, "Look here, Gen. Breckenridge, Til bed d if 

you shall have that dog," and fled to the woods as 
only the wind or an Indian can. Overhearing Dr. 
Guild offering the dog to the General, the Indian, 
whose devotion embraced both master and dog, had 
secretly concealed the animal in the woods, and tlie 
General never got his dog. This serves to illustrate 
the Indian's spirit, and the generous nature of his 
Master. 

Dr. Guild's versatile tastes ranged from scien- 
tific research to an appreciation of the lights and 
shadows flickering on <-he home walls; he was fond of 
the beauties of nature, often describing the grandeur 
of Western scenery, especially Wild Rose Pass to his 
comrades around the camp fire. He appreciated and 
encouraged the artistic tendencies of his young sister, 
little dreaming that her art (and heart) when ripened 
would preserve his features and fame when Alabama 
enrolled him among the honored in her State Ar- 
chives. That Dr. Guild won and held the esteem of 
his illustrious chief is evidenced b}' the fact that Lee 
embodied his Chief Surgeon's report of the battle of 
Gettysburg in his oflicial account on the War Records. 
And when Lee was ill in '70 he asked his attending 
physician to write to Dr. Guild for his diagnosis and 
successful treatment of a former attack of a similar 
nature. Dr. Guild's answer was the last letter he 
ever wrote. He went through the ordeal of the Sur- 
render at Appomattox with his beloved leader and was 
paroled on April 9th, 1865. Soon afterward he wrote 
the following letter to General Lee: 

City Point, Virginia, May 5lh. 1865. 
GENERAI,: — 

We sail tomorrow from Fort Monroe to Mobile, Ala., 
and before leaving Virginia (probably forever) I cannot 
withhold an expression of my warm and devoted attach- 
ment to yon both personally and officially. Under your 



11. 

i,'-uidance tue true and ^ood men of the Arm v of Northern 
Vir^-inia were ever ready to follow, \,'hetherour march led 
to victory or defeat; so well assured were we all that 
virtue, honor and justice, with a Christian fear of the 
Almij^-hty God, were the principles that actuated and 
inspired your conduct. To belonj,'- to General Lee's de- 
feated Army is now the proudest boast of a Condeferate 
soldier. Though overwhelmed by superior numbers and 
compelled to surrender, we yet preserve our honor as men 
and soldiers. "May the calamity which has befallen 
us be sanctified to the j^^ood of us all, and may the 
richest blessing's of Heaven be vouchsafed to our noble 
Commader-in-Chief= 

I am. sir. very respectfully. 

Your Obedient servant, 
L. GuiM), Medical Director, A. N. Va. 

vSoiiie one has trul}^ observed: "While so much 
has been written, and very properly too, commemor- 
ative of the strategic skill of our great leaders and the 
glorious achievements of our gallant .soldiery, it is to 
be regretted that so little has been published com- 
mendatory of the "medical profession" during the 
progress of the War. Among the rank and file of the 
army, next in their affections to the successful com- 
mander who led them to victory was the skillful sur- 
gon who was ever ready to bind their wounds, minister 
to their sufferings and provide for their wants when 
the causalities of battle demanded. True heroism 
can be exhibited in any of the ranks of life. It was 
surely demonstrated in many instances by the Medi- 
cal Staff of the Army of Northern Virginia." 

As indicated in his farewell letter to Lee, Dr. 
Guild went to Mobile at the close of the war. Like 
many other Confederates he found himself at middle- 
age penniless and health broken by his arduous 
compaigns; but with heart undaunted and sustained 
by the consciousness of recititude and a sense of 
duty well done. He intended to establish himself 
in his profession of medicine, but his fame was too 



12. 

widespread and his capacity too evident to allow him 
to remain long a private practitioner. Upon the 
appearance of an epidemic of \'ellow fever in Mobile 
he was made Qnarantine Inspector and dnring- the 
ensning sconrge he led the fight which finally defeat- 
ed dread Yellow Jack. 

When this assidnons campaign was over, Dr. 
Guild and his wife determined to seek health and 
wealth in the golden West where they had been so 
happy before war, strife and disease had darkened 
their lives. In 1869 they returned to San Francisco. 
There, as elsewhere, Dr. Guild's scientific and 
professional pre-eminence was at once recognized. 

Amid the scenes and memories of a happier time 
his eye rekindled its former fire just for a moment to 
pierce the secrets of his science; and his hand re- 
covered its cunning only long enough to inscribe his 
name upon the scroll of fame in an exhibition of his 
professional skill which a generous family hailed with 
delight. But while he relieved the pangs of others he 
could only endure his own until the conquered body 
released a spirit which it had vainly striven to subdue. 

Dr. La Fayette Guild died of rheumatism of the 
heart on July 4th, 1879, at the age of 44, at Mary- 
sville, Cal. , whither he was sojourning in hope of relief. 
The remarkably deep impression he made during his 
brief residence in San Francisco was attested by the 
following: 

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. 



To THE Memory of Dr. Ea Fayette Guii^d by the 
Board of Health of San Francisco. 

At a meeting of the honorable Board of the City and 
County of San Fraiicisco, held this day, a committee 
consisting- of J. Campbell Shorb, M. D. and Gustavus 
Holland, M. D. was appointed to draft appropriate resolu- 
tions on the decease of La Fayette Guild, M. D., late visit- 



,13. 

itif^ surg-eon of the City and County Hospital; and in 
pursuance thereof the following- preamble and resolutions 
were unaminously adopted: 

WhkrE'»s, It has pleased Ahr.ig-hty God to remove 
from our midst and a sphere of usefulness, Dr. La 
Fayette Guild, an amiable g-entleman, accomplished 
physican and surg-eon, and valuable citizen, and, 

Whekeas, It is highly right and proper that the Board 
of Health should in titting- terms express their hig-h ap-- 
])reciation of his worth, therefore be it 

Kesolved, That in the death of l)v. La Fayette 
Guild, the Board of Health are profoundly impressed with 
a loss to ourselves and to the community of the services 
of one in every respect eminent and estimable. 

ResoIvVED, That the heartfelt condolence of the Board 
of Health follow his afflicted family and friends to their 
far home in the South where well-known and beloved, 
his death will cause the deepest sorrow. 

Rp;soi.vED, That this tribute to his memory, this 
sincerely felt but inadequate commemoration of the 
many excellent qualities of his mind and heart be spread 
upon the minutes of the Board, be published in the daily 
papers of San Francisco and a copj' of the same be for- 
warded to his friends in Alabama. 

Present his Honor, 

Thomas H. Sheebv, Mayor and Ex-officio Pre- 
sident of the Board of Health. 

GUSTAVU.S HOU.AND, M. D., 

H. H. Hubbard, M. D., 

H. H. T01.1.AND. M. D., 

J. CampbelIv Shore, M. D. 
Attest: Wili.iam V. Wei.i.s, Clerk Board of Health. 

Once more brave, broken-hearted Mrs. Guild be- 
gan the long hard journey from the West to Tusca- 
loosa, this time accompanying her distinguished hus- 
band's remains. In the City of Oaks amid the scenes 
of his childhood and surrounded by kindred ashes Dr. 
Guild now lies at rest. 

Among the many public expressions of sympathy 
and respect called forth by the untimely taking off of 
this noble man and eminent physician, none was more 
appreciative and deserving than the tribute from Dr. 
E. D. Newton, of Rome, Ga. , which closed thus: 



14. 

"Ill this very brief sketch of the life and services 
of one so endeared to the officers and soldiers of the 
Army of Northern Virginia, I have given bnt feeble ex- 
pression to 111}' high appreciation of the excellent qual- 
ities of his noble character. No language would de- 
scribe him to those who knew him not, while those 
who enjoyed his intimate acquaintance would be pain- 
ed by the futility' of the effort. How can we find ad- 
equate utterance for the deep emotions of a true and 
earnest friendship? Yet would you have me pencil 
one who possessed all the elements of a chivalrous 
manhood, all the tenderness of a sister of charity, all 
the sympathy of a brotherly love, all the affection of 
a devoted husband, all the virtues of a Christian gentle- 
man? Then I must bid you look for its portrayal to 
the life and character of LaFayette Guild." 

Bv Kathari)ic Hopkins C/iapniaii. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 



Report of Surgeon La Fayette Guild, Confe- 
derate States Army, Medical Director of 
THE Army of Northern Virginia. 



( MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE. 

Camp near Culpepper Court House, 
July 29, 1863. 

vSir:— 

At midnight, July 3rd., after the fiercest and 
most sanguinary battle ever fought on this continent, 
the General commanding gave orders for our army to 
withdraw from Gettysburg, and fall back to Hagers- 
towii. I enclose you a copy of my instructions to the 



15. 
corps of Medicial Directors, issued on that occasion. 
( Letter not found . ) 

Every available means of transportation was call- 
ed into requisition for removing the wounded from the 
field infirmaries, and on the evening of the 4th our 
ambulance trains took up their line of march by two 
routes, guarded as well as could be by our broken- 
down and inefficient cavalry. One train went by 
Cashtown, the other by Fairfield. The latter's train 
was attacked by a body of the enemy's cavalry, who 
destroyed many wagons and paroled the wounded 
private soldiers, but taking with them all of the 
officers who fell into into their hands. The former 
train was more fortunate, however it too was attack- 
ed by the enemy, and met with some little loss in 
wagons and prisoners. 

The poor wounded suffered very much indeed, in 
their rapid removal by day and night, over rough roads 
through mountain passes, and across streams toward 
the Potomac. Those who could be removed from the 
battle-field, and infirmaries, were concentrated at 
Williamsport, and transferred to the Virginia bank of 
the river by rafts and ferry boats, as rapidly as the 
swollen condition of the streams would permit. 

Since my hasty and imperfect letter of the 10th 
inst. from the vicinity of Hagerstown, Maryland, 
I have not had time or opportunity to report to you 
more fully our movements. At Hagerstown, as I in- 
formed you in mv last letter, we fully expected an- 
other battle, and prepared for it. We waited six long 
days, nearly every day the two armies engaged in des- 
ultory skirmishing. When the enemy made his ap- 
pearance in force, instead of attacking us as we ex- 
pected, he commenced fortifying himself all along 
our line of battle, his line being less than a mile from 



16. 

ours. Our supplies for both men and animals were 
being rapidly exhausted, and the enemy declining 
battle by laying aside his muskets and taking to his 
picks and shovels, orders were given for us to re- 
sume our march towards the Potomac on the 13th in- 
st. The army crossed at three points, (two fords 
near Williamsport, very deep and bad fords, the river 
being swollen, at which quite a number of animals 
were drowned, and the pontoon bridge at Fallen Wa- 
ters ) withont molestation from the enemy, who con- 
tented himself with picking up stragglers. Our 
crossing the river without annoyance evidently shows 
that the enemy were badly crippled, and could not 
risk another general engagement. The sufferings of 
the wounded were distressing. Indeed the healthiest 
and most robust suffered extremely in crossing the 
river. 

The head of the column commenced its passage at 
dark on the 13th inst. and in the afternoon of the 14th 
the rear guard reached the south bank. On July 
15tli we encamped near Bunker Hill twelve miles north 
of Winchester, and remained there until the 20th, re- 
freshing the troops and removing to the rear our sick 
and wounded from Winchester and Jordan Springs, at 
which place I found about 4000 sick and wounded; 
steps for their removal to Staunton being immediate- 
ly taken. All who could bear transportation were 
gotten off by the 22nd inst., less than 150 remaining 
at the two places. Mount Jackson and Harrisonburg 
have been used simply as wayside hospitals where 
the sick and wounded were refreshed, medical officers 
with supplies of all kinds being stationed at the two 
points; on the 22nd inst., the army resumed its march, 
the first and the third corps taking different routes to 
Front Royal and Chester Gap, where the}- were 



17. 

convalessed, and the march continued to this point 
where they encamped on the 25th and are now resting 
after their arduous night marches through great in- 
clemency of weather. The second army corps cross- 
ed the Blue Ridge at Thornton's Gap, south of 
Chester Gap, and will encamp in our vicinity to-day. 
Considerable sickness has been the consequence of their 
fatigue and exposure. Diarrhoea, dysentery, continu- 
ed fever and rheumatism, preponderate. 

I have prohibited the establishment of a hospital 
at Culpepper Court House but organized a depot for 
the sick and wounded who cannot be treated in camp. 
Those who should go to the general hospital are sent 
with all dispatch to Gordonsville for distribution. 
The sick and wounded should, in my opinion, by no 
means be allowed to accumulate at Gordonsville. It 
may be exposed, at any time, to cavalry raids and the 
inhuman enemy invariably, when an opportunity 
offers, drag our sick and wounded officers at the sacri- 
fice of their lives into lines. Mount Jackson and 
Harrison in the valle}^ of the Shenandoah, should be 
abandoned as hospitals as far as practicable, leaving 
only those patients whose lives w^ould be endangered 
by transportation. 

I have ordered Surgeon R. J. Breckenridge, Me- 
dical Inspector of the Army to proceed to the hospitals 
near the army where our sick and wounded 
have been sent since the battle of Gettysburg, and 
to have all who are fit for duty, returned to their reg- 
iments. I enclose for your information a copy of my 
letter of instructions to him, and order from the Gen- 
eral Commanding. The lists of casualties have been 
forwarded to my office and embraces the whole army 
with the exception of two brigades, nhich I have taken 
steps to have made out. Our loss at Gettysburg was 



18. 

very heavy, indeed nuiiiberiiig about 14,000 killed 
and wounded. The consolidated list will be furnished 
you at an early day. At the battle of Winchester, 
fought by Gen. Ewell's Corps, on June 13, 14 and 15 
our loss was comparatively small, 42 killed and 210 
wounded. 

I will also forward to you, very soon the list of 
casualties, properly prepared. Complaints are very 
frequently made by medical officers of the line that 
many of the sick and wounded who are sent to gen- 
eral hospitals are never heard from, the hospital sur- 
geon failing to report deaths, discharges, furloughs, 
etc. I would again respectfully request that means 
be adopted for the correction of this neglect of duty 
on the part of medical officers in general hospitals. 
I am exceedingly anxious to have a personal interview 
with you relative to some changes in the organization 
of our corps in the field, particularly in the purveying 
department. It is impossible for me to visit Rich- 
mond at this time, but hope soon to have an opportu- 
nity. My office is exhausted of blank forms. 

Please have forwarded to me the following . . . 
I am sir, very respectfully, 

your obedient servant. 
L. Guild, 
Medical Director, Army Northern Virginia. 

Surgeon Gen. L. B. Moore, Richmond, Va. 



19. 

STAFF OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE. 

General Lee's first service was in the western 
part of the State of Virginia, wliere he wos attended 
at first by two Aids-de-canip: 

Col. John A. Washington, 
Capt. Walter H. Taylor, 
and after Col. Washington was killed at Valle}^ 
Monntain, Sept., 1861, by his one remaining Aide. 
Dnring his three months' service in South Caro- 
lina, Georgia and Florida, he had with liim, in addi- 
ton to his Aide, Capt. Taylor: 

Lt. Col. Wm. G. Gill, Ordinance Of^cer, 
Capt. Thornton A. Washington, A. A. & I. G., 
Major A. L. Long, Chief of Artillery, 
Capt. Jos. C. Ives, Chief of Engineer^, 
Capt. Joseph Manigault, Volunteer Aide. 
In March, 1862, w^hen under a special act of 
Congress General Lee was assigned to duty at Rich- 
mond, a personal staff for the "Commanding Gener- 
al" was authorized by the said act, and the appoint- 
ments made by him under it were as follows: 

Col. A. L. Long, Military Secretary, Brig. 
Gen. Artillery Sept. 21, 1863 to April 9, 1865. 
Major Walter H. Taylor, Aide-de-camp, Lt. 
Col. A. A. & I. G., Nov. 4, 1864 to April 
9, 1865. 
Major T. M. R. Talcott, Aide-de-camp, Lt. 
Col. A. A. & I. G., Nov. 4, 1864 to April 
9, 1865. 
Major Charles S. Veneble, Aide-de-camp, Lt. 
Col. A. A. & I. G., Nov. 4, 1864 to April 
9, 1865. 
Major Charles Marshall, Aide-de-camp, Lt. 
Col. A. A. & I. G., Nov. 4, 1864 to April 
9, 1865. 



20. 

June 1st, 1862, after the battle of 'Seven Pines," 
in which General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded, 
General Lee was assigned to the command of the 
"Army of Northern Virginia," and took with him his 
personal staff as above enumerated, viz: Long, Taylor, 
Talcott, Venable and Marshall, also retaining Capt. 
A. P. Mason, A. A. & L G. of General Johnston's 
staff, who in March, 1863 was at his own request 
transferred elsewhere and Major Walter H. Taylor 
assumed his duties. Col. Thomas Jordan, A. A. & 
I. G., who had served as Adjutant General of the 
Army of Northern Virginia under General Johnston, 
voluntarily retired with him, and was replaced by 
Col. R. H. Chilton, A. A. & I. G., who was promot- 
ed Brig. Gen, about December 1863, and Col. 
Walter H. Taylor then became Adjutant General of 
the Army of Northern Virginia, which position he 
held until April 9, 1865. 

Chiefs of Departments. 

The Chiefs of Departments of the Army of 
Northern Virginia, who served under General R. E. 
Lee, were as follows: 

Lt. Col. E. Porter Alexander, Chief of Ordin- 
ance June 1, 1862 to Nov. 1862., Brig. Gen. 
Artillery to April 9, 1865. 

Lt. Col. Briscoe G. Baldwin, Chief of Ordin- 
ance Nov. 1862 to April 9, 1865. 

Lt. Col. Robert G. Cole, Chief Commissary 
June 1, 1862 to April 9, 1865. 

Lt. Col. James L. Corley, Chief Quarter- 
master June 1, 1862 to April 9, 1865. 

Surgeon La Fayette Guild, Medical Director 
June 25, 1862 to April 9, 1865. 

Brig. Gen. W. N. Pendleton, Chief of Artil- 
lery Mar. 6, 1863 to April 9, 1865. 



21. 

Col. George W. Lay, A. A. & I. G., Mar. 6, 

1863 to April 9, 1865. 
Major Henry E. Peyton, A. A. & I. G., Nov. 

1862 to Nov. 4, 1864., Lt. Col. A. A. & I. 
G. to April 9, 1865. 

Lt. Col. B. Murray, A. A. & I. G., Sept. 

1863 to Nov. 4, 1864. 

Major Giles B. Cooke, A. A. & I. G., Nov. 4, 

1864 to April 9, 1865. 

Capt. Henry E. Young, Judge Advocate 
General, Sept. 1863 to Nov. 4, 1864 and 
Maj. A. A. & I. G. to April 9, 1865. 

Lt. Col. Wm. P. Smith, Chief of Engineers, 
Sept. 1863 to 1864. 

Col. W. H. Stevens, Chief of Engineers, 1864 
and Brig. Gen. in April, 1865. 

Capt. Sam'l R. Johnson, Engineer Officer, 
Nov. 1865 and Lt. Col. in April, 1865. 



ADDENDA. 

The following beautiful tribute to Dr. Guild is 
from the pen of Maj. Henry E. Young, Judge Ad- 
vocate General, of Gen, Lee's Staff, who is living in 
Charleston, S. C, an attorney at law and very 
prominent in his profession. It will be remembered 
that Maj. Young and Dr. Guild were brother officers 
on the staff of one of the greatest men and generals of 
any age. Associated as they were under the most 
trying situations to which men and soldiers are sub- 
jected, they knew each other well, and had the truest 
appreciation of the worth and faults in the character 
of each other; and what one would say or write of the 
other carries a force and enduring influence for truth 
that no other circumstances could produce. 

LA FAYETTE GUILD, M. D. 

When I joined Gen. Lee's Staif, I found Dr. Guild a 
member of it and as head of the Medical Department of 
the Army with the distinguished assistance of Drs. 
Breckenridge, Wingfield, Wingate and Geddings. Effi- 
cient in all he did, Dr. Guild made his department one of 
the most eifective. Urbane and yet firm, he spread 
around him an air of politeness and courtesy, but requir- 
ed exact discharge of duty. 

No sick or wounded soldier ever failed to feel the 
effect of his active and kind influence. The fact that 
during the time he was in charge of the Medical Depart- 
ment of the Army of Northern Virginia, he enjoyed the 
confidence and esteem of General Lee and his fellow 
officers, is the best proof of his lofty character and his 
high attainments, and his faithful discharge of duty. 

"He wore without reproach the Grand Old Name of 
Gentleman." 

H. E. Young, 
Maj. of A. G. A. N. V. 
Charleston, March 24, '09. 



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